What’s the best food for autumn bird feeding?
Birds need to stock up on fatty and high-protein seeds as they prepare for the winter.
While many wild birds will gravitate to a variety of food in the wild, once cooler weather arrives, those same birds will start looking for food that’s easy to get and packed with energy. That makes our bird feeders great for autumn feeding — birds don’t have to scour the landscape to find it and you can control exactly what goes into it!
Try these ideas:
Select the Right Seeds –
- There are many seed types available for your bird feeders. The best for autumn feeding are those that have a lot of protein and fat packed inside of each bite. With that in mind, Creative Woodcraft offers a premium mix of top quality NZ grown seed providing essential energy to wild birds to thrive in your garden and the best option for most birds.
Suet Products Deliver –
- With the right bird feeder, suet can be a valuable addition to your autumn bird-feeding efforts. This food is totally unlike bird seed – it’s rendered lard mixed with a number of other bird-friendly ingredients that is hardened into a cake or log. Birds can then pick it apart to build up their own fat reserves. While many homemade suet cakes can spoil in warmer weather our suet cakes, truffles and logs at Creative Woodcraft will remain good in all weather conditions, they’re perfect for autumn and winter feeding.
More Ideas for attracting birds in the autumn
There is plenty more you can do to make your garden the perfect place for your visitors throughout the season.
Water –
- Having a supply of clean water for birds to use is a huge attractant. Try adding a bird bath. Make sure to change the water frequently.
Ground feeding –
- Many bird species prefer to eat on the ground. Accommodate those birds by spreading a small amount of seed underneath your feeders or use a ground feeder.
Alternatives to ground feeding –
- Of course you don’t have to drop food directly on the ground. You can also pour seed on a deck, railing or other inviting space that will attract ground foragers.
Leaf raking –
- Always try to keep the space under your feeder clear of anything that can hide seed that’s fallen to the ground. A pile of fallen leaves can be the difference between a bird going hungry and a helpful meal.
Keep feeders clear –
- In the winter months when snow, ice, sleet and rain hit your garden, take steps to keep the bird seed in your feeders dry. In snowy weather, brush any accumulations on your feeder off. During wet and icy weather, put a limited amount of seed in the feeder until the rough weather passes. Soggy or frozen food can keep birds away.
Stay clean –
- Remember, keep your feeders clean! All the activity at your feeders can also create a breeding ground for bird illnesses. A regular routine of feeder cleaning will really help.
Nest boxes
The autumn is a great time to Install bird nesting boxes and to clean out bird houses and nest boxes of the bedding placed inside during the breeding season. Pull out all that material and scrub the inside with warm soapy water.
Help birds survive bitter cold nights!
Cold, windy nights threaten birds’ survival, robbing them of energy and calories. Help them keep warm!
By adding several bird nesting boxes in the autumn will provide a chance for your garden birds to familiarise themselves with the nest boxes before winter sets in. Nesting boxes not only provide suitable habitat for birds nesting in the spring and summer but they also create a valuable draft-free shelter where birds can gather together to escape wet and cold conditions.
Autumn Bird Feeding Tips
With these tips on feeding your garden birds throughout the autumn, you can expect to see them through the winter as well.
If you have any questions on bird feeding, leave a comment here or visit us on Facebook!
